CORNER BROOK — An outbreak of anemia in farmed salmon has not been all bad news for the industry.
Processing the fish has meant plenty of work for people at Burgeo fishmeal plant.
Anemia is a virus that can spread to other fish, such as cod or herring, but is not harmful to humans, says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's website.
The virus was found in about 500,000 fish, which were killed.
The fish in neighbouring units were turned into fishmeal which gave an extra three weeks of work to employees at the Barry Group Inc. processing plant.
Usually the processing season is between three and four months long.
"It was good to see a buzz of activity over around the fishplant," said Gerald MacDonald, the mayor of Burgeo.
MacDonald said the plant, which has nine workers, gained a handful of new employees for the salmon processing.
About 16 people from out-of-town government and industry departments also had an extended stay in town, he said.
MacDonald was told employees were working about 16-hour days.
"It was certainly a big boost to the employees," he said. "And a big spinoff for the whole community."
The extra work saw many people at restaurants, accommodations, camp sites and the Sand and Sea Festival in the area.
"It's been a busy few weeks," said MacDonald.
Representatives from Barry Group did not return calls as of press time.
